Michael McGrath, Ireland’s Finance Minister, is set to become the country’s new European Commissioner. His journey began in Greenmount Buildings, Cork City, where he grew up as the fourth of seven children. The McGrath family moved to Passage West when he was three, and his mother still lives there.
Tragically, his father Jack passed away when Michael was 17. Michael credits walks with his father at Monkstown Golf Club, where they collected and sold lost golf balls, as an early influence on his career.
McGrath studied at University College Cork, qualified as an accountant, and worked at UCC and RedFM. His political career began with his election to Passage West Town Council in 1999 at just 22. By 2007, he was running for national office and won a seat in Cork South-Central.
Despite Fianna Fáil’s losses in 2011, McGrath retained his seat and rose within the party, becoming the spokesman on public expenditure and later finance. Known for his policy focus and negotiation skills, he was part of key government agreements in 2016 and 2020.
As a father of seven, McGrath is admired for his commitment and attention to detail. His tenure as Finance Minister has been praised, with some seeing him as a future Taoiseach. However, his new role in Europe will delay that possibility.